[CTGirlNoMore]

I know homeowners insurance is high and makes it financially difficult in FL (at least that seems to be what I read and hear). How about if you rent an apartment though? Does renting make it a little more managable? Thanks.

[BlueWillowPlate]

We own now, but renting was great for us.
There are lots of empty condos, and lots of homeowners who, especially if they are frustrated sellers,are happy to rent to responsible tenants.
We (husband, me, kid, dogs, cats) were in a 3 bedroom/2 bath w/swimming pool right on the beach for $900 a month.

[TampaKaren]

I just helped a credit challenged person find a rental house. It has 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2600sf built in 2006 for $1250 per month. Granted, he will spend $15000 rent in one year's time, but the value for the cost just blew my mind.

[121804]

Originally Posted by TampaKaren

I just helped a credit challenged person find a rental house. It has 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2600sf built in 2006 for $1250 per month. Granted, he will spend $15000 rent in one year's time, but the value for the cost just blew my mind.

Those are a dime a dozen in SW FL. There is so much inventory & several areas of FL are greatly inflated in terms of home prices that owners are desperate to get any sort of cash.

SW FL is a renter's dream right now. We rent a 3/2/2 1900 sq ft condo for $1050 (water & cable included). Asking price is $400k. It's almost too funny.
Condos are dirt cheap to rent right now in SW FL & homes are not too far behind. Homes are usually a little higher b/c the homeowner needs to cover property taxes & homeowners insurance.

[Sunandsand]

It is a renters market without a doubt. Negotiate the price hard and do a check on the landlord to make sure they are not in default. Also, insist that the security deposit is in escrow.

Tenants can pretty much write their own deals these days.

[THX 1138]

All depends on standards, you can get cheap if you want to flip more of the bill, pay for trash removal, mowing the grass, live in a place that has no HOA, usually means ungated.

[bale002]

The credit bubble that fueled the housing price bubble that fueled the rise in taxes, not to mention the skyward rise in insurance rates due to the 2004-2005 hurricanes, has by no means wound down yet.

In this context, if you buy, you risk overpaying - so no capital gain for, who knows, ten/twenty years? - then when you add mortgage interest, taxes, other taxes by other names such as impact fees and whatnot, insurance, possibly HOA fees, and various maintenance expenses, "throwing away" $15k a year or whatever on rent still may be a better deal than being a home"owner"(debtor) and sitting-duck for the local taxman (regardless of the January plebiscite).

On the other hand, there is a danger that policymakers will continue with the inflationary policies to mask weaknesses in the fundamentals of the real economy so house prices may skyrocket further after the current pause.

If you think to hold 10-20 years and can afford it now - calculating all the possible expenses as listed above vs rental expense - you may take the chance. Anything shorter than five years for sure you are better off as a mobile free-as-a-bird renter and let the sitting ducks worry about the serious expenses. Yes, southwest Florida probably does offer the best deals right now.

Good luck!

[bono11]

okay, maybe this sounds realllly stupid- but, i'm single and was wondering if it would be possible to get a NICE, 1 bedroom 1 bath for around $600/mo....??? I know that doesn't sound like much, but i would be going to school full time and working also- i need something affordable!! (anything cheaper would be great too- haha!) oh- i would like a good neighborhood too- free of crime and whatnot....

[MissShona]

Originally Posted by bono11

okay, maybe this sounds realllly stupid- but, i'm single and was wondering if it would be possible to get a NICE, 1 bedroom 1 bath for around $600/mo....??? I know that doesn't sound like much, but i would be going to school full time and working also- i need something affordable!! (anything cheaper would be great too- haha!) oh- i would like a good neighborhood too- free of crime and whatnot....

Hmmm...it depends where you are going to school. If it's South Florida or Orlando, I would say no. But you could always go the roommate route (which will put you in that price range).

[floridasandy]

rents are definitely coming down on houses in florida as there are so many of them on the market.